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theguardian.com
Recruiter who was allowed to buy back his insolvent firm falls behind on payments after offering staff Vegas trip
Premier Group Recruitment went into administration with debts of £2.9m – including £647,000 owed to HMRCA recruitment executive – who was allowed to buy back the assets of his bust company in instalments despite it accumulating almost £3m of debt – has fallen behind on promised payments after pledging to send staff on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas.The development is the latest case to raise questions about the practice of “phoenixism”, accounting’s controversial art of liquidating companies to allow directors to rise from the ashes with a new entity, free of debts. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Your devices could be at risk’: how antivirus scams trade on fear
Urgent renewal emails and huge discounts figures are used to pressure people to hand over their dataYou have had McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop for years after becoming fearful that your computer would be infected. So when an email arrives to say your protection is about to expire, you are not surprised. Better still, there is a “renewal discount” of 89% if you pay on the same day.“Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats,” the email warns. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
From bikinis to cat bowls: how museum gift stores became the place to shop
Curated edits mean people are treating museums as stand-alone shopping destinations rather than simply exit points First it came for bookshops. Then your favourite coffee shop. Now there is a new frontier when it comes to upping your merch game: museums.Instead of art print postcards and coffee table books, you are now more likely to find everything from slogan T-shirts to coffee mugs when you “exit through the gift shop”, as museums look to merch-maxx in order to boost revenue Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The potential is huge’: Plymouth hopes defence money will have it sailing again
Local leaders are optimistic investment and regeneration plans will help make ‘ocean city’ an appealing place to livePlymouth may only have been rebranded as “Britain’s ocean city” in recent years, but its role as a centre of UK defence can be traced back to the 16th century thanks to its strategic location on Devon’s south coast. Sir Francis Drake set sail from Plymouth on his circumnavigation of the globe and it was here the Pilgrims finally departed England for America on board the Mayflower.In more recent decades, a dependence on the defence sector no longer seemed an asset, as spending cuts and the loss of dockyard jobs forced the city with a proud maritime history to square up to a new foe: economic uncertainty. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
When will the EU punch its weight in a perilous world? That’s the question countries eager to join should be asking | Simon Tisdall
Twin threats from east and west have clearly made the bloc more appealing – but its rule-bound institutions need urgent attentionGiant butter mountains, wine lakes and an apocryphal EU ban on bendy bananas formed the mythological backdrop to Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum debacle. Yet while many Vote Leave claims were exaggerated, inaccurate or blatantly untrue, the EU’s capacity for laying itself open to ridicule is undiminished 10 years on. Take the strange case of the whingeing EU commissioners, annoyed that their officially provided electric vehicles cannot manage the time-consuming 280-mile journey between Brussels and Strasbourg without stopping to recharge.This important issue, first reported by Politico, raises vital questions. Do these highly paid bureaucrats really need chauffeur-driven “company cars”? Surely they could catch a train, or fly, or cycle. EV use is mandatory for road trips. The vehicles are supplied in line with the EU’s Green Deal emissions-cutting policy, which commissioners might be expected to support, not carp about. So why is the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, allowed a petrol engine? The biggest question of all is why make these tedious Brussels-Strasbourg journeys in the first place?Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘One day I thought, that’s enough’: the people fighting back against pothole-riddled roads
The dire state of roads has provoked pothole vigilantes and become a political flashpoint from Manchester to Manhattan. How did we get here?Sitting in St Albans crown court, waiting for his case to be called, Derek Bennett’s anger momentarily gave way to a sense of disbelief. “I mean, there’s rape and murder cases going on,” he says. “I couldn’t believe I was there, with this stupid subject.”Initially, neither could the judge, whom Bennett says remarked that such issues were surely a matter for the magistrates. But Bennett, a 68-year-old construction consultant who has spent decades navigating building rules and regulations, had read the law carefully. Section 56 of the UK’s Highways Act 1980 clearly states the “highway authority or other person” responsible for a road in Britain is liable to maintain it, and should it fall into “disrepair”, a member of the public may apply for a crown court order to fix it. The other crimes would just have to wait. Bennett was here about potholes. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Germany’s embattled nightlife scene welcomes plan to reclassify clubs
There is hope that a change to building regulations could resurrect music clubs, which have been hit by rising rents, social shifts and noise disputesA move by the German government to reclassify nightclubs to distinguish them from amusement and adult entertainment facilities could give a much-needed boost to the country’s struggling nightlife, industry advocates say.Under a fundamental change to building regulations approved by Friedrich Merz’s cabinet last week, nightclubs will be formally recognised as providing cultural and artistic value, making it more difficult for developers to evict venue operators in favour of new construction. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The household battery revolution that could change energy bills … and the world
Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, proving what is possible with the right policiesThe timing was rich with symbolism. As intense heatwaves pummelled Europe and Asia, and oil markets around the world leapt and sputtered, the two big chimneys of one of Australia’s largest power stations were being demolished. Meanwhile, the Australian energy minister was holding a media conference to hail a fall of up to 10% in the benchmark electricity price in parts of the country.Quietly, and with surprisingly little fanfare from the rest of the world, Australia is pioneering a revolution in home renewables and battery use, proving what is possible with the right policies. The country was already one of the global leaders in domestic solar power, with panels on one in three homes. It also remains, however, a major contributor to the climate crisis through its vast fossil fuel exports. But it is batteries that are giving Australia a new burst of speed. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Britain's onboard train wi-fi is one of Europe's worst. This is how people manage
We tested the wi-fi on the train between Norwich and London to see how easy it was to connect.
bbc.com
Ferrari wanted to take on Chinese EVs with the Luce - then the backlash started
The brand's first EV has been heavily criticised, with some saying it has abandoned Ferrari's roots.
theguardian.com
Former M&S chief appointed to tackle UK youth unemployment crisis
Key part of Marc Bolland’s government advisory role will be to help disabled or depressed young people find training or jobA former chief executive of Marks & Spencer has been appointed as a government jobs adviser in its latest attempt to tackle the growing youth unemployment crisis.Marc Bolland, who oversaw the retail chain from 2010 to 2016, will lead a summit of business leaders, amid warnings that the country risks a “lost generation” without urgent intervention. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What’s gone wrong at Everyman and can the luxury cinema chain regain its magic?
More competition and loss-making sites are among the challenges for the new turnaround chief executiveWith its comfy sofas and a menu of gourmet treats including Béarnaise smash burgers and trendy Whispering Angel rosé wine at £47 a bottle, Everyman has thrived as the go-to chain for a luxury cinema trip.Yet a quarter of a century after reinventing the movie-going experience, growing from a single venue in Hampstead in London to a national player with 49 sites, the arthouse chain finds itself struggling as rivals ape its successful formula. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Anthropic’s alliance with pope on AI harms: all in good faith or ‘Vatican-washing?’
Experts say AI firm’s engagement with Vatican risks creating ‘feelgood’ discourse that lacks critical examinationWhy did Anthropic’s founder sit beside the pope during a warning about AI?In the first major written teaching of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV took artificial intelligence to task. The pontiff delineated the technology’s most concerning threats to humanity: replacing workers, accelerating war and exploiting the environment. At a ceremony honoring the holy teaching the day of its release at the Vatican, the pope was flanked by an unusual guest speaker: Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, one of the people behind the AI boom so worrying Leo. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Palace was given emails about Andrew’s trade envoy activities six years ago, report says
Emails appearing to show Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information were handed to Buckingham Palace in 2020, says BBCEmails handed to Buckingham Palace six years ago appear to show that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information while he was a government trade envoy, it has been reported.The BBC said on Saturday that an archive of more than 30,000 emails was handed to the lord chamberlain, the most senior officer in the royal household, in 2020. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why $1bn in Balkans energy contracts are going to an obscure company connected to Donald Trump
Guardian investigation shows how US presidency blurs line between policy and enrichment of American ruling family and those around itOn a graffitied Sarajevo backstreet, a path leads past an overgrown patch of garden to a white door. Beyond is the registered office of a company that is on the brink of winning contracts worth more than $1bn.AAFS Infrastructure and Energy is close to securing a concession to build and operate a pipeline across the Balkans to allow fossil gas shipped from the US to replace supplies that come from Russia. “This could be the most important infrastructure project ever in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” says one of the country’s top officials, who, like others, asks to remain anonymous to discuss sensitive negotiations. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US garbage incinerators are failing to eliminate ‘forever chemical’ air pollution, experts warn
The virtually indestructible Pfas waste puts largely low-income neighborhoods at risk, public health advocates sayThe nation’s garbage incinerators are largely failing to eliminate Pfas “forever chemicals” air pollution, and are putting people in largely low-income neighborhoods at risk, public health advocates and independent experts warn.The powerful waste management industry is increasingly pushing incinerators as a solution to virtually indestructible Pfas waste, and a new industry trade group report alleges Minnesota’s incinerators are reducing their forever chemical emissions by 99.6%. Other incinerator operators have made similar reduction claims. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Inflation won Trump the presidency, but could cost him the midterms
Trump’s pursuit of policies that drive up prices, including tariffs and war, might be punished in November’s electionsFor such an uncannily successful politician, Donald Trump exhibits a perplexing political myopia. His most recent own-goal was endorsing Ken Paxton, a state attorney general, against four-term senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary for Senate in Texas. Trump’s endorsement helped push the ethically compromised Maga firebrand over the top, to run against popular Democrat James Talarico in November, complicating the Republicans’ chances to keep the seat.But what truly screams “I want us to lose the midterms” is what Trump is doing about inflation, which is becoming his most vulnerable issue. According to a New York Times/Siena poll of registered voters earlier in May, Trump’s approval on handling the cost of living is underwater by 42 percentage points, poorer than his rating on handling the economy (minus 31 points) and the unpopular war in Iran (minus 34 points). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Maybe it’s because we love the sesh’: how Wales is bucking Britain’s pub-closing trend
At least six new pubs and taphouses have opened in recent months, including the Pig & Swill in Cardiff On a hot Thursday evening in Canton, a buzzy Cardiff neighbourhood, a steady stream of people in sunglasses, shorts and dresses went back and forth between bar and garden at the city’s newest pub, the Pig & Swill.Next door, in Victoria Park, the splash pad was still heaving with families making the most of the tail-end of the May heatwave. Many parents and carers stopped by for takeaway pints and small plates. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Americans echo Pope Leo’s concerns about AI: ‘It threatens workers, privacy and human life’
Guardian readers in the US spoke of fears about unregulated AI in response to the pope’s encyclical warning about the risks of the technologyIn his first major papal text since assuming leadership of the Catholic church last year, Pope Leo issued a stark warning about the rise of artificial intelligence this week, denouncing the “culture of power” driving the AI age.Calling for the “most rigorous” ethical constraints on AI – which he described as one of the greatest threats facing humanity today – the first US-born pope also warned of “new forms of slavery” emerging through the digital economy. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Looming Iran peace deal shows how Trump’s maximalist goals have shrunk
Sobering reality for president after three-month odyssey that threatens to take him back to where he startedAfter the hubristic beginnings came the reality.The road travelled since the most momentous foreign policy decision of his presidency seems to have delivered Donald Trump to a sobering destination: that Iran has been the nemesis of several US presidents before him for a reason and is an adversary not to be taken lightly. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ is nowhere to be seen with Iran | Mohamad Bazzi
The self-proclaimed master dealmaker can’t seem to stop sabotaging his own negotiationsFor weeks, Donald Trump has tried to find a way to end the war he started with Iran – a deal that would allow him to declare victory and move past the conflict before it causes severe damage to the global economy and sinks Republican chances in the US midterm elections. But the self-proclaimed master dealmaker can’t seem to stop sabotaging his own negotiations or to acknowledge that Iran is now in a better position to demand concessions than it was before the war.Over the Memorial Day holiday, Trump skipped his eldest son’s wedding in the Bahamas and canceled plans to spend the weekend at his New Jersey golf club. The last-minute changes heightened speculation that Trump was ready to unveil a deal to end the war. Trump then announced that he would hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday at Camp David, the presidential compound in Maryland that has been the site of historic diplomatic summits and pronouncements. But that meeting was moved back to the White House, as it became clear that Trump had not been able to close a deal he could announce with great fanfare at Camp David. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Britons travelling home via EU airports ‘should allow three hours’ before flights
Entry-exit system, which replaces passport stamps with digital registration, causing huge delays at border checksBritish passengers returning home via European airports should arrive three hours before their flights are due to depart, an airline boss has advised, amid concerns about new security procedures causing large queues.The EU entry-exit system (EES), which replaces passport stamps with a digital registration, has been gradually been introduced in Europe since October 2025 and became fully operational last month. Some passengers have faced huge delays at border checks, airports have said. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘That’s why we work in finance – so one day we can afford air-con’: Britain’s unequal heatwave
While some found this week’s heat a breeze, many in poorer areas face health risks in furnace-like homesTravelling from his air-conditioned flat to the air-conditioned Elizabeth line to his air-conditioned office, 27-year-old banker Aykhan found this week’s heatwave a breeze.Smiling while grabbing lunch in the shopping centre under the gleaming One Canada Square skyscraper in Canary Wharf, he said he’d been sleeping very well over the last few days. “It’s a new flat, the air-con is great, my bedroom is cool.” Continue reading...
bbc.com
Arrive three hours before flight home, airline boss tells UK holidaymakers
Wizz Air CEO Yvonne Moynihan also advises passengers to carry portable chargers and water due to lengthy queues.
theguardian.com
On-street EV charging in UK is postcode lottery as drivers face council objections
Despite government pledges, more than 20 authorities will not allow gullies, citing safety, legal and parking concernsThe energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has said charger gullies to connect electric cars parked on streets will help cut costs for drivers, yet millions of UK households may be unable to use the simple technology because their local councils will still not allow charging cables to cross the pavement.Despite government promises to “slash red tape” and make it easier to put in gullies, more than 20 local authorities appear to be holding out against them. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Resident group’s objections to bar and restaurant licences ‘destroying Soho’s reputation’
Soho Society, funded by Westminster council, is ferociously opposing all new proposals, venue owners sayA society of residents funded by the council could “destroy Soho’s reputation on the international stage” as London’s entertainment district by ferociously objecting to all new bar and restaurant licences, operators in the area have said.The Soho Society, a group of residents established in 1972 aimed at “preserving the character of Soho”, voted in its AGM on Thursday for a new licensing mandate, meaning it will challenge all new applications for bars and restaurants in the area, including renewals of existing licences. It will also object to any venue that wishes to open beyond “core hours”, which Westminster council decrees end at 11pm. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Gluten-free basics ‘now a luxury’ as price of a small branded loaf nears £4
People with coeliac disease say inflation and shrinking ranges are making food staples unaffordableGluten-free versions of everyday staples such as bread and biscuits are becoming a luxury, with shoppers complaining that a “decent” small loaf now costs nearly £4.Consumers have always paid a premium for these specialist foods, making any price increases a source of concern, particularly for people who follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
A broken economy and an emboldened regime: Iranians abandoned to endure fallout from war
Some Iranians hoped foreign intervention would unseat the regime but instead the US-Israel war has damaged livelihoods and strengthened those in powerAs Donald Trump swung this week between threats of new military action against Iran and predictions that a lasting ceasefire deal was imminent, many Iranians were left exhausted and gripped by uncertainty.Despite the partial lifting of an internet shutdown that began when the war started on 28 February, fears of worsening repression at home have also fuelled pessimism about the future among some of those to whom the Guardian spoke. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘How can you have a Ferrari without any vroom?’: electric model shocks owners’ club
Suggestion the Luce EV should be stripped of prancing horse logo shows strength of feeling from Ferrari fansFor passionate enthusiasts, Ferraris are not merely cars but works of art. The emotion stirred by their classic red curves is, they say, akin to standing before a Michelangelo sculpture, while the sound of the engine revving evokes a sensation comparable to listening to the music of Giuseppe Verdi or Giacomo Puccini.Which is why the sight of the Italian carmaker’s first fully electric car, the Luce EV, unveiled this week, left many fans aghast. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How a borough in Merseyside is bucking the UK's youth unemployment trend
Could personalised early intervention help prevent under-16s falling into the Neet trap?
theguardian.com
What if Trump invades Cuba? – Stateside with Kai and Carter
When the US indicted Raúl Castro recently, it was another step in the escalating pressure campaign the Trump administration is conducting against Cuba’s communist government. As Cuba’s president warns of a “bloodbath” if the US engages in military action, how are Cubans coping and what outcome are they hoping for? Host Kai Wright speaks with Mónica Baró Sánchez, a Cuban reporter in exile in Miami, and the Guardian’s Cuba correspondent Ruaridh Nicoll in Havana, about what they’re hearing from Cuban citizens stuck between two governments. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Universal rejects billionaire Bill Ackman's takeover bid
The music giant said Pershing Square's offer fundamentally undervalued the business.
bbc.com
Only three-quarters of first class mail delivered on time
Royal Mail says its service is improving and that it is on track to hit the regulator Ofcom's reduced targets
theguardian.com
Nationwide customer seeking election to board hits out at lender for ‘unfair’ treatment
James Sherwin-Smith says field tilted against him after decision to give members ‘quick vote’ against candidacyA Nationwide customer seeking election to the building society’s board has criticised the lender for “unfair” treatment and undermining democratic governance after it said it would tell members to vote against him.James Sherwin-Smith said Nationwide had tilted the field against him after it confirmed it would give members a default “quick vote” option that included a vote against his candidacy at the annual meeting in July. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
New Yorkers irritated by proliferation of London members’ clubs on their doorsteps
Upper East Side residents fighting Maison Estelle’s plan for venue with roof terrace next to ‘nice townhouses’The New York City elite are growing irritated by a proliferation of private members’ clubs from London’s Mayfair opening branches on their doorsteps.Over the last year, London clubs have started popping up like unexpected guests in the US city. The entrepreneur Robin Birley, who owns 5 Hertford Street – where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly had their first date – and Oswald’s in Mayfair, has opened Maxime’s on New York’s Upper East Side. The Grosvenor Square newcomer The Twenty Two has now opened its NYC outpost and others are swiftly following, including the Mayfair stalwart Annabel’s, which plans to open a site in the downtown meatpacking district. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fish prints and shapes have UK shoppers hooked this summer
From sardines and sprats to crabs, marine life-themed fashion and homewares are making a splash Three years after declaring the death of florals, John Lewis has discovered a new print that is making a splash among shoppers. At the launch of its new high summer collection, the retailer said fish were quickly becoming its customers’ catch of the day.From sardines and sprats to crustaceans including crabs, its latest haul across fashion and homeware is rich in fish prints and shapes. Sales of starfish-shaped earrings are up 300% month on month, while high demand for a silky blue skirt smothered in shoals of fish has resulted in a waiting list. In homeware, sales of a set of glass tumblers that stack together to form the shape of a fish are up 400%, while a “gluggle jug” – a ceramic pitcher shaped like a fish that makes a gurgling sound as the water is poured – is becoming an outdoor dining essential. Sales of versions from Wade Pottery are up 129% month on month. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What can the Dutch teach the UK about how to tackle the youth jobs crisis?
The Netherlands has the lowest rate of young people not in education, employment or training in the EUA shock government-backed report this week warned of the danger of a “lost generation” of young people in Britain, as the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets) rose to more than 1 million.According to official UK statistics, roughly 13.5% of young people are not in work or college. Among 18- to 24-year-olds the share rises to 15.8% – nearly one in six. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Energy bills to go up for Power NI and Firmus customers
Both suppliers have said the increase is due to higher global energy and gas prices.
bbc.com
Top UK chefs call for cutting VAT for pubs and restaurants to 10%
Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be halved to ease mounting pressure on the hospitality industry.
theguardian.com
Sunak is right that our students need financial literacy – but that shouldn’t mean yet more maths | Simon Jenkins
Education should prepare young people for dealing not only with practical things such as insurance, pensions and taxes but also with tech and mental healthWhat is it about ex-ministers that they suddenly know how to run the country? Tony Blair hurls thunderbolts at his successor, Keir Starmer. His former colleague, Alan Milburn, is shocked that a million young people aged 16-24 are not in education, training or a job – one in seven of them with degrees: a rate double that in Ireland and three times that in the Netherlands. Meanwhile the former prime minister, Rishi Sunak, complains that pupils are never taught “financial literacy”. They are left unprepared for life outside the school gates.Sunak is clearly right, though we might wonder what he did about it when he was in Downing Street. His proposed numeracy project aims to teach children how to handle money, a skill at which he sees Britons in the dark ages compared with Germany and elsewhere. His only obsession is to believe this requires mathematics taught to the age of 18. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Period homes with stylish extensions for sale in England – in pictures
From a red-brick house with a tower-like extension in the city to a Victorian home with an industrial-style extension in the country Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It feels unfair’: the Britons struggling to get a mortgage since Iran war began
Whether first-time buyers, in between homes or refixing, people tell of impact of higher mortgage rates on housingProspects of cuts in UK interest rates in 2026, which were widely expected at the start of the year, were rapidly extinguished when the Iran war started at the end of February. The renewed threat of inflation means the Bank of England is now expected to raise rates at least once this year, with mortgage costs staying higher for longer.The boss of Britain’s largest housebuilder said on Thursday it was the most challenging time to be a first-time buyer since the 2008 financial crisis. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Blue Origin rocket explodes into huge ball of flame on Florida launch pad
Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, said it was a "very rough day".
bbc.com
Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW
BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.
bbc.com
When trade soured, this American liquor maker moved to Canada
Sales of the fruity liqueur popular with Canadian students had plummetted north of the border as provinces retaliated against Trump tariffs.
theguardian.com
Can Trump's negotiation playbook solve the Iran war? – video
The Guardian's Oliver Holmes looks at how Donald Trump's book The Art of the Deal could shed light on the president's negotiation tactics in the war with Iran Continue reading...
bbc.com
California Attorney General sues 23andMe successor for 2023 data breach
Attorney General Rob Bonta alleges the company lied about the breach's severity.
bbc.com
US government prepares to print $250 note featuring Trump's face
Federal law bars printing images of living people on US currency, but Trump allies in Congress are moving to make an exception.
theguardian.com
UK recall alert issued for car seat base that poses risk of injuries to children
Office for Product Safety and Standards advises stopping use of Maxi-Cosi FamilyFix Slide Pro bases immediatelyA baby car seat product that poses a risk of injuries to children because of a malfunctioning safety indicator has been recalled by its manufacturer.Maxi-Cosi is recalling all of its FamilyFix Slide Pro bases from buyers, information on the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) website showed. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Unfair childcare eligibility criteria and the ‘nerd tax’ | Letters
Jamie Evans questions the exclusion that means his family will not be able to claim £8,000 of support while his wife is a PhD studentThe education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is right to order a Competition and Markets Authority review of hidden childcare charges (Report, 24 May). However, she would do well to also review her department’s own eligibility criteria for accessing 30 hours of funded childcare in the first place. One particularly egregious exclusion is that of PhD students, who miss out on approximately £8,000 of support that the majority of other working parents can access, despite earning only about £20,000 per year (if on a typical UK Research and Innovation-funded course).This is the situation that will affect my wife and I from February next year, when our soon-to-be-born daughter will turn nine months old and my wife will need to return to the completion of her PhD (improving patient experiences of GP services). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
'Lost generation’: why can’t young people get jobs? – The Latest
A landmark government-backed report has warned that the UK risks a ‘lost generation’ of young people, as new figures show that more than 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training.The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn said youth disengagement was a mounting economic risk to the country, and urged a fundamental reset of policy covering schools, the health service and the welfare state. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior economics correspondent, Richard Partington Continue reading...
bbc.com
Drag queen Pattie Gonia fights trademark lawsuit by Patagonia
The outdoor apparel firm says the performer broke an agreement not to use its branding in merchandise.
bbc.com
'I've applied for more than 400 roles' - how young people are facing the job shortage
The BBC has been hearing from young people who are struggling to find work about how they are tackling the challenge.
theguardian.com
Tony Blair and the battle for Labour’s soul
Peter Walker is joined by pollster Luke Tryl of More in Common to discuss Sir Tony Blair’s intervention in the Labour leadership saga and the party’s prospects in the Makerfield byelectionPlease send your questions and messages for Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com Continue reading...
bbc.com
Opportunities shrinking for too many young people, says major report on 'lost generation'
A report warns the number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work, education or training is set to rise to 1.25 million by 2031.
bbc.com
EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products
The European Commission says the Chinese-owned online retailer failed to take account of risks from baby toys and faulty chargers sold on its platform.
bbc.com
Oil prices fall after report of breakthrough in US-Iran talks
A report of a extended ceasefire, subject to Donald Trump's approval, has led to global oil prices to fall on Thursday.
bbc.com
Ousted BP chairman hits back at 'lies' about his behaviour
Albert Manifold said no-one should be "allowed to hide behind anonymity" when commenting on his time at BP.
theguardian.com
Young first-time buyers face toughest time since financial crisis, says UK housebuilder
Barratt Redrow boss says rising interest rates, higher student debt and squeeze on wages hitting property dreamBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Britain’s largest housebuilder has said it is the most challenging time to be a first-time buyer since the financial crisis, as the dream of home ownership moves increasingly out of reach for many young people.A combination of rising interest rates, higher levels of student debt and the squeeze on wages is making it “challenging, very, very difficult” for young people to get on the housing ladder, according to David Thomas, the departing chief executive of Barratt Redrow. Continue reading...
bbc.com
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.com
Australia sues US giant 3M over 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam
The A$2bn case, which centres on contamination at defence sites, is the largest ever brought by the government.
bbc.com
Google worker charged with using internal data to make $1.2m on bets
The longtime Google employee was charged in New York for allegedly breaking insider trading laws.
bbc.com
Why Fifa is being investigated over World Cup ticket prices
New York and New Jersey are looking into the association after fans have reportedly been "misled" over ticket sales and seat locations.
bbc.com
Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?
With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.
bbc.com
The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
The BBC visited China’s EV factories and found they are dominating the ecosystems shaping the global auto industry.
bbc.com
Why paying £5 for a latte is here to stay
Poor coffee harvests in Brazil and Vietnam are just some of the factors driving up the price of your morning cup of coffee.
bbc.com
How you can save money on your energy bill
Experts say action now can save money when the pinch comes this winter.
bbc.com
'I fear for my son's farming future due to costs'
One farmer says his red diesel costs have risen from £27,000 a year to £54,000.
bbc.com
How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July
Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.
bbc.com
Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job
The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.
bbc.com
The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard
Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.
bbc.com
Energy bills to rise for millions as impact of Iran war hits
A household using a typical amount of energy will pay £221 a year more, under the regulator's new price cap.
bbc.com
'Bullying' and 'overbearing' behaviour behind abrupt BP chairman removal
BP declined to comment on whether bullying behaviour was part of the reason for his immediate dismissal.
bbc.com
Ferrari shares slump after it unveils first fully electric car
The new Luce model has divided opinion on social media, and comes despite intense pressure from Chinese EV makers.
bbc.com
This beach hut costs the same as a three-bedroom house
A beach hut has gone on the market for £200,000 - the same price as some houses further along the Welsh coast.
bbc.com
Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control
The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.
bbc.com
'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
bbc.com
The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
bbc.com
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
bbc.com
Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
bbc.com
The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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